How to choose the right home electric car charging station-CleanTechnica

2021-11-26 01:54:36 By : Ms. Sabrina Xia

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More than 80% of the charging of electric vehicles is carried out at home, usually at home will have the most stay time, and when most vehicles are idle, charging at night is easy. Although charging at night provides a long charging time, it may not be enough to fully charge the battery. Therefore, electric vehicle owners should strongly consider using a level 2 electric vehicle charging station as the best choice for recharging.

What is level 2 charging? Why is it important?

Most new EV models are equipped with a level 1 charger that can be connected to any standard 120V wall outlet. This option adds an average of 2 to 5 miles per hour and is the slowest charging option. Level 2 charging stations use 208 or 240 V connections. This higher voltage allows more energy to be supplied directly from the electrical panel, which can increase the additional range by an average of 15 to 30 miles per hour (depending on the vehicle model). This provides an advantage for drivers who want to charge their electric vehicles in a shorter time interval. Compared with a level 1 electric vehicle charging station, this can save an average of more than 15 hours of waiting time to achieve a full charge. 

Consumers should also consider whether they plan to place the charger indoors or outdoors. If they choose to place them outdoors, they will want to ensure that the charger is not affected by the weather and can operate at a temperature suitable for their climate, because some chargers may not operate effectively in extremely hot or cold conditions. Some chargers on the North American market can withstand temperatures ranging from -40° F to 122° F. When placing the charger outdoors, EV drivers must also consider whether the charging cable can remain flexible under extreme temperatures, allowing them to extend it without interruption or malfunction to their vehicle.

There is an application that can be used: electric car charger controlled on your smart device. Image courtesy of FLO.

The role of smart functions

Smart features allow users to stay connected to the charger via their mobile device or desktop. These features usually enable users to view their activities, usage history, and the status of billing sessions from the user portal. The smart charger also supports a dispatch function, which helps to take advantage of the off-peak energy-saving plans of the local utility company, as well as to receive new software and firmware updates to ensure compatibility with new EV models.

Non-smart chargers or "virtual" level 2 chargers do not provide any of the above features, but compared to level 1 chargers, it can still provide faster charging speeds. Users may be locked out of new software and firmware updates, which may prevent compatibility with new electric car models, which may force some people to reinvest in new chargers in the future.

The charger case designed with more durable materials can better resist potential shocks and can resist long-term wear and tear, which helps prevent charging interruption or damage. Some use plastic, glass panels or aluminum. Especially when installing outdoors, electric vehicle drivers should look for chargers that are waterproof, heat-resistant, ice-resistant and corrosion-resistant.

The quality of the connector is also an important consideration because it needs to withstand a large amount of power transmission, which will wear out over time and affect the quality of charging and the connection to the vehicle. The high-quality connectors are designed to last more than 10 years and/or 10,000 charging cycles.

Electric vehicle charging stations are a long-term asset, and electric vehicle drivers should keep this in mind when purchasing charging stations. In addition to the purchase cost, consideration of installation costs, discount eligibility, and maintenance over the years are also crucial. According to the design and construction of the charger and the required amperage, the installation cost of the electrical contractor will be determined.

Depending on the available space of the residential switchboard, upgrades may be required, which can significantly increase installation costs. Since most electric vehicle drivers can fully charge the vehicle in 6-8 hours using a 30A charger, they may not need a higher output-to install a 30A charger, it is recommended to use a dedicated 40A dedicated circuit breaker. Finally, the driver should consider the placement of the charger and the distance to the switchboard: the further away from the switchboard, the higher the installation cost.

This article is supported by FLO.

https://www.nrcan.gc.ca/energy-efficiency/spotlight-energy-efficiency/2021/04/16/electric-vehicle-chargers-the-basics/23564?_ga=2.106067651.1979807129.163672024242642642634

https://electricvehicles.bchydro.com/incentives/ev-chargers-eligible-for-rebates?manufacturer=32&product-name-model-number=#single-family-homes

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